GoM on state-run telcos discuss pension issue of MTNL staff

NEW DELHI: A Group of Ministers looking at ways to revive state-run telecom companies today discussed about the pension liabilities of MTNL and decided upon the broad contours of the issue.

A final decision, however, will be taken after the government signs an agreement with the employees union.

"...we only dealt with the issue of pension of MTNL employees. The broad contours of that have been decided but till we have an agreement from the union in writing, we will not be able to reveal to you what the broad contours are. But I think we will meet the concerns of the employees by and large," Telecom MinisterKapil Sibal said here.

The DoT had proposed to implement voluntary retirement scheme in both the PSU's for 1 lakh BSNL employees and 20,000 employees in MTNL.

Overall, the salary and pension expenses of MTNL employees form around 103 per cent of the company's revenue. For BSNL, the same is about 49 per cent.

Asked if the spectrum issue was also discussed, Sibal said, "That issue has not yet been (discussed)."

Spectrum-related issues include demand by BSNL and MTNL for refund of their wireless broadband airwaves that can be used for 4G services and one-time spectrum charge levied on them for holding airwaves beyond allocation made to them with licences.